An assessment of Genetic and Social Aspects of Breeding (Endogamy and Exogamy Marriages) Practices in Homo sapiens
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study provides an extensive evaluation of the genetic and social aspects of breeding practices, specifically endogamy and exogamy, in Homo sapiens. Endogamy, the custom of being married within the custom of being married within a specific social, ethnic, or religious group, and exogamy, the tradition of being married outside one’s group, have profound implications for both genetic diversity and social structures. Socially, endogamy reinforces cultural identity and group cohesion, preserving traditional practices and hierarchical structures within communities. Conversely, exogamy promotes social integration and the alliances forming between various groups, reflecting modern shifts towards individual choice and inclusivity. Genetically, endogamy can lead to reduced genetic diversity and an increased risk of hereditary disorders due to inbreeding. Populations practicing endogamy may exhibit higher frequencies of genetic diseases as a result of the accumulation of deleterious alleles within a closed gene pool. In contrast, exogamy enhances genetic diversity, which can improve overall population health and adaptability by reducing the risks associated with inbreeding and introducing new genetic variations. However, exogamy may also dilute specific genetic adaptations unique to certain environments. The study highlights how these breeding practices impact genetic health and social dynamics, illustrating the balance between preserving cultural heritage and fostering genetic diversity. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these practices in the context of modern societal changes and technological advancements, which continue to shape human reproduction and social organization. This assessment provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of human breeding practices and their implications for future genetic and social outcomes.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Andersson, M. (1994). Sexual Selection. Princeton University Press.
Badgett, M.V.L. (2001). Money, Myths, and Change: The Economic Lives of Lesbians and Gay Men. University of Chicago Press. Badgett examines the impact of legal changes on marriage practices, including the recognition of same-sex marriage.
Baker, P.T. (1974). The Biology of High-Altitude Peoples. Cambridge University Press.
Bennett, L. (2005). Gender, Caste and Ethnic Exclusion in Nepal: Following the Policy Process from Analysis to Action. World Bank.
Bittles, A. H. (2001). Consanguinity and its Relevance to Clinical Genetics. Clinical Genetics, 60(2), 89-98.
Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Cavalli-sforza, L. L, Menozzi. P., & Piazza, A. (1994). The History and Geography of Human Genes. Princeton University Press. 10.2307/2058750.
Charlesworth, D., & Willis, J. H. (2009). The Genetics of Inbreeding Depression. Nature Reviews Genetics, 10(11), 783-796.
Coontz, S. (2005). Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage. Viking Penguin. Coontz provides a historical overview of changing marriage practices and the rise of companionate marriage.
Darwin, C. (1859). On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. John Murray.
Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies.
Dumont, L. (1980). Homo Hierarchicus: The Caste System and Its Implications. University of Chicago Press.
Falk, D. (1998). Early Hominid Brain Evolution: A New Model. Wiley-Liss. This book discusses the evolutionary developments of brain and skull features in early Homo sapiens.
Finley, M. I. (1981). The Ancient Economy. University of California Press. Finley discusses the role of marriage in the social and economic organization of ancient Greece and Rome.
Gellner, D. N. (1995). Monk, Householder, and Tantric Priest: Newar Buddhism and Its Hierarchy of Ritual. Cambridge University Press.
Hammurabi, A. (2000). The Code of Hammurabi. University of Chicago Press. This ancient legal code outlines the formalization of marriage practices in ancient Mesopotamia.
Inhorn, M. C., & Birenbaum-Carmeli, D. (2008). Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the Globalization of Infertility. Routledge.
Jobling, M.A., Hollox, E., Hurles, M., Kivisild, T. & Tyler-Smith, C. (2014). Human Evolutionary Genetics (2nd ed.). Garland Science.
Kimura, M. (1983). The Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution. Cambridge University Press.
Kwiatkowski, D. P. (2005). How malaria has affected the human genome and what human genetics can teach us about malaria. American Journal of Human Genetics.
Lee, R. B., & DeVore, I. (1968). Man the Hunter. Aldine Publishing Company. This book provides insights into early human social structures and marriage practices among hunter-gatherer societies.
Lewin, R. (1998). The Origin of Modern Humans: An Adaptationist Perspective. Wiley-Liss. Lewin provides insights into the cultural and technological advancements of early Homo sapiens.
Mayr, E. (1963). Animal Species and Evolution. Harvard University Press.
Morgan, L.H. (1877). Ancient Society. Henry Holt and Company.
Neel, J. V. (1978). Genetic Diversity and the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 27(5 Pt 2), 895-904.
Reich, D. (2018). Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past. Pantheon.
Ridley, M. (2004). Evolution (3rd ed.). Blackwell Publishing.
Sahlins, M. (1972). Stone Age Economics. Aldine Publishing Company. Sahlins explores the economic and social roles of marriage in early human societies.
Sharma, K. (2004). The Cultural Dimension of Marriage in India: An Anthropological Study. Anthropological Journal, 55(3), 234-245.
Stringer, C. (2003). The Recent African Origin of Modern Humans. In The Fossil Record 2. Springer. Stringer outlines the timeline and migration patterns of Homo sapiens.
Stringer, C. (2016). The origin and evolution of Homo sapiens. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Tattersall, I. (2009). The Human Story: Our Evolution from Prehistoric Ancestors to Modern Humans. Thames & Hudson. Tattersall discusses the evolutionary history and survival of Homo sapiens.
Templeton, A. R. (2006). Population Genetics and Microevolutionary Theory. Wiley-Liss.
Tishkoff, S. A., Reed, F.A., Ranciaro, A., et al. 2007. Convergent adaptation of human lactase persistence in Africa and Europe. Nature Genetics. 39, 31–40. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1946




















